Ruth Name Meaning, Origin, and Biblical Background

Meaning

The meaning of Ruth

Ruth is usually explained from a Hebrew root connected with friendship, companionship, or refreshment. The exact nuance is discussed, but the biblical story has made loyalty the name's strongest association.

Sound

How to pronounce Ruth

Phonetic: ROOTH
IPA: /ɹuːθ/

1 syllable · stress: ROOTH · ends in a consonant

Forms

Variants and nicknames

Alternate spellings

Ruta
Rute
Rut

Short forms and nicknames

Ruthie
Ru

Languages

Ruth in other languages

Hebrew: רוּתRut
Greek: ῬούθRhouth
Latin: Ruth
Spanish: Rut
French: Ruth
German: Ruth
Italian: Rut
Russian: РуфьRuf

Christian background

Christian and biblical background

Ruth appears in the Old Testament book that bears her name. Christian readers also notice that Ruth becomes part of David's family line, which later matters in the genealogy of Jesus.

Scripture

The biblical figure

In the Bible, Ruth is a Moabite woman who stays with her mother-in-law Naomi and becomes part of Israel's story. Her faithfulness leads to a new family and a place in David's ancestry.

Read the full story of Ruth in the Bible

Bearers

Notable people named Ruth

biblical
RuthMoabite widow who follows her mother-in-law Naomi to Bethlehem, marries Boaz, and becomes great-grandmother of King David
historical
Babe RuthAmerican baseball player George Herman Ruth Jr., one of the greatest hitters in baseball history, 1895 to 1948
historical
Ruth BenedictAmerican anthropologist, author of Patterns of Culture and The Chrysanthemum and the Sword, 1887 to 1948
historical
Ruth AsawaAmerican sculptor known for her looped-wire abstract works, 1926 to 2013
historical
Ruth Bader GinsburgAmerican jurist and Supreme Court justice from 1993 to 2020, 1933 to 2020
historical
Ruth WestheimerGerman-American sex therapist and media personality known as Dr. Ruth, 1928 to 2024

Naming history

Naming tradition and history

Ruth became a durable Christian name through Bible reading, especially in English-speaking Protestant contexts. In the United States, it feels classic, simple, and serious without being ornate.

Recent US use

Ruth in recent US use

Rank in 2025: #173
Peak rank: #3 in 1893
Recent trend: rising over the last 5 years
Years in the SSA records: 146 (since 1880)

Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880-2025.

Sibling fit

Sibling name suggestions

Brothers

Sisters

Pairings

Names paired with Ruth

Boazhusband
Boaz redeems Naomi's family land and marries Ruth in Bethlehem; their son Obed becomes the grandfather of David.
Naomimother-in-law
Ruth follows Naomi from Moab back to Bethlehem with the words "where thou goest, I will go" (Ruth 1:16).

For families

For families looking at Ruth

For a Christian family, Ruth signals loyalty, devotion, and quiet courage. Ruthie gives the name a warmer everyday form.

Common questions

What does Ruth mean?

Ruth is often connected with friendship or companion.

Is Ruth a biblical name?

Yes. Ruth is the central woman in the Old Testament book of Ruth.

Is Ruth a Christian name?

Yes. Ruth has long been used by Christians because of her biblical story and connection to David's family line.

Sources

Sources for Ruth

A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, Brown, Driver, and BriggsSupports: Hebrew etymology; meaning connected with friendship or companion.
Ruth, King James Version (KJV 1769)Supports: scripture context (Ruth 1:16); biblical figure of the book of Ruth.

Last reviewed July 19, 2026. See our methodology, or report an error on the corrections page.